[IceClass]

I keep finding myself lusting after a Sony TA-E77ESD pre. They're readily available second hand, offer a wealth of connectivity options, has a solid sonic reputation and includes an internal 48Khz DAC.
Until recently that had been the factor that had held me back but then I'd heard from friends and contacts who all preferred somewhat dated through to vintage DACS to current offerings and I noted that I can't ever remember using a higher sample rate than 44.1KHz on my DacMagic.

The Sony pre looks like a winner for my office/nearfield rig needs but will the DAC be a real letdown?

 

[Duggeh]

I live with one. It rarely goes into 48 (DVDs) but mostly sits at 44.1 and sounds lovely.

Mind you when it was made, there wasn't anything that went over 48, and even then that was just DATs.

 

[EugeneK]

If you want it just for music from CDs, 44.1 is all you need.

 

[IceClass]

It would be for a combination of CDs and Apple Lossless files ripped from my own CDs.

 

[IceClass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duggeh /img/forum/go_quote.gif I live with one. It rarely goes into 48 (DVDs) but mostly sits at 44.1 and sounds lovely. Mind you when it was made, there wasn't anything that went over 48, and even then that was just DATs.

For such an old girl she's a mighty fine looker if you don't mind me saying.

 

[somestranger26]

Yes, since I don't notice any difference between 44.1khz and 96khz content, and upsampled 44.1khz just sounds more harsh and digital to me. Anything I listen to with regularity is also either 44.1khz (music) or 48khz (movies)

 

[Abstraction]

The only reason to worry about higher-rez gear is if there is original source material recorded in hi-rez that you want to hear. I am happy with timbre tt-1 from the 90s. I have nearly a tb of CDs ripped in a.i.f.f.

 

[auee]

It will only be insufficient if you start purchasing hi res files such as the 24-172 files offered by David Chesky's company. Otherwise, it is all that is needed and all I need for movies and ALAC rips in iTunes.

 

[Icarium]

Easily.. mastering uber alles regardless of hi rez or redbook.

 

[IceClass]

I'm beginning to wonder why I have 88.2 and 96khz settings on my DacMagic.
They simply NEVER get used.

 

[Bredin]

I have one album that's not 44.1Khz. I would do fine with a 48Khz dac.

 

[charliex]

44.1 should meet the vast majority of your needs - and you do have a fine DAC with the DacMagic (I love mine)

 

[mrarroyo]

This is a beautiful looking unit, it is worth having on looks alone!

 

[LingLing1337]

I use a computer rig, so having to resample using PPhS in Foobar isn't really a problem for me. I don't have good enough ears to tell any difference so I'm fine accomodating my DAC's limitations.

 

[Valens7]

That's one handsome piece of kit. Very retro.

As for the original question, I'll parrot everything that has been said thus far: I have only one CD that isn't Red Book. Since I don't particularly like that CD, I think I'd be just fine with a DAC limited to Red Book playback. I think that quite a few people would even say that such a limitation is optimal!